Six royal marine commandos taking part in an extraordinary challenge to celebrate the forces 350th anniversary were met by the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells during a break in their journey.

Councillor Julian Stanyer welcomed the members of Her Majesty's Royal Marines to the town hall as they performed a baton handover to the next group of runners joining the core team for the 1664 Challenge.

To commemorate the force's anniversary the team will ski, sail, cycle, canoe and run a total of 6656km.

Starting in February, the marines have, so far, skied through Norway, sailed to Cadiz, cycled to Normandy, canoed across the Channel and from May 26, until July 25 when they will arrive in the City of London, have been running around Great Britain.

Groups of marines have been joining the main six participants on different stages of their journey.

In a very colourful ceremony, five Marine Drummers in their recognisable white helmets and blue uniforms, escorted the runners to the Town Hall steps to meet the mayor who then officiated during the baton handover on Friday, July 18.

Following the handover, on one of the hottest days so far this year, the marines were invited to join the mayor for refreshments.

Talking after the event Councillor Stanyer said: "For me, it was an enormous privilege to be able to welcome this corp of outstanding young men to the Town Hall.

"Young men who had skied, sailed, cycled and ran around a large chunk of Europe, all in the aid of a charity supporting their colleagues who have been injured in global conflicts, and with a magnificent target of £6 million in their sights.

"They are an absolute inspiration to us all."

The 1664 Challenge will raise much needed money for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF) which helps wounded and injured members, particularly those that have been most severely injured, to begin their transition back into civilian life.